International Economic Development Group

Post-Lomé ACP-EU agreement signed in Benin

After 25 years of being the largest aid and trade agreement between developed and developing countries, the Lomé Convention expired in February 2000. A new, more ambitious, 20-year 'Partnership Agreement' was signed in Benin on 23 June, between the European Community and 77 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (including the Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue and Palau, which joined the ACP group on that occasion).

Since negotiations began over the successor to the Lomé Convention, in 1998, ODI has contributed actively to the debate on the future trade relations between the ACP and the EU, in particular through its collaboration with the European Centre for Development Policy Management (Maastricht). Now that 'Cotonou' has replaced Lomé, trade options remain open, and our work continues.